“This is the best enrichment class in which we’ve ever enrolled our son!”

–Scott Taylor, Laurelhurst Elementary parent

“I had two children take this class and they both enjoyed it tremendously. They are in different grades (1^st and 2^nd) and each took an avid interest in setting up the scene and developing their characters. It gave them an insight into theater planning that they wouldn’t ordinarily be exposed to. Thanks!” 
–Gilli Balback

“We hire the Young Players to help our middle school teachers integrate drama into the curriculum. The YP teaching artists always do an amazing job of creating enthusiasm; they present ideas for lesson plans that effectively transform standard literacy curriculum into dramatic experiences! Our teachers absolutely love the training they receive from the Young Players.”
–Jeffrey Gilpin, Arts TOSA Portland Public Schools

“We loved having The Young Players work with our staff! The workshops were fun and practical and our teachers were able to use the activities immediately with students. We brought them back three times this year!”
–Alan Barker, principal Peninsula Elementary

“Our son absolutely loves Young Players. He’s taken a couple of the classes and plans to take more. He had been playing sports since kindergarten which had shown him a lot of discipline. However, Young Players gave him the outlet he needed to express his goofy, outgoing and creative side. He’s currently performing in a local play and plans to audition for more in the future. We credit Young Players for supporting and directing our son towards his passion in acting.”
– Scotland Thede, parent of an Alberta Rider Elementary student

“The kids and parents just love it! These classes build self-esteem and valuable communication skills. It brings the shy child out of his/her shell while providing an outlet for the active child!”
—Kevin Olds, Principal

“Your teacher helped my daughter so much! I couldn’t believe how much she changed in such a short period of time. Every day, Chelsea came home excited about sharing all the fun things they did in class. Before this class, she was much more reserved with other children, now she lets her personality shine through. Please let your teacher know how much we appreciated her creativity, knowledge and enthusiasm, and thank you so much for bringing this program to our school!”
–Chelsea’s Mom, Alameda Elementary

“I would love to do more Young Players professional development! It was so inspiring!” 
–Da Vinci Arts Middle School Teacher

“I really liked how I could get creative while being totally outside of my comfort zone.”
–Da Vinci Arts Middle School Teacher

“Your workshop was fantastic, thank you!”
—Astor Elementary Teacher

“Last night, Megan told me that this was by far the best camp she’s ever done. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
–Theresa Riley, Upshur Elementary parent

“My daughter never talks about camps at the end of the day…but she couldn’t stop talking about this one!”
–Liz Strombaugh, Upshur Elementary parent

“We do a lot of fun things, and I get to express myself like I don’t get to in class.”
—Kyla, Third Grader, Mary Woodward School

“This is a great company to work with!  They offer fun classes that the kids thoroughly enjoy.  The staff members are enthusiastic, responsive, organized, and professional.  They truly go out of their way to make the program successful.”
–Kathy Stallkamp, PSO President, Deer Creek Elementary

“When the children arrive to class, the air becomes electric, and the magic begins! I even heard an administrator say that she’d never seen the kids as excited about an after-school program as they were about Young Players!”
–Amy Reza, YP Instructor

“Having Shakespeare Comes to School in our seventh grade classroom was the highlight of our year! I learned a lot of strategies from the Young Players teaching artist and now feel able to take more risks in using performing arts in my curriculum, which is so great for students both verbal-linguistic and kinesthetic learners. His enthusiasm and his working relationship with the students were excellent. We learned history by re-enacting it. (We all played the parts of the Globe Theater-stage, balcony and food throwing audience.) His storytelling was superior. We learned about themes, character, etc. I could go on! We look forward to making this a tradition for our seventh graders every year! Thanks again so much for this wonderful learning experience.”
–Angela Gadbois, 7th Grade Teacher, Astor Elementary

“Tim mostly was enrolled in sports related camps. This allowed him to explore the more creative side of his personality and to work with others in a different way. It was a nice change from the other summer programs offered…he enjoyed it very much!”
—Anne DeVries

“Annika was very eager for each class to come and she would work her homework as soon as she got home. Thank you for teaching this class!”
–Joli Hansson

“Thank you for providing the opportunity for our grandchildren to participate in your acting workshops through their school. Being provided within the school itself as an after school activity is both convenient and affordable. We have been looking for an opportunity for our grandchildren to become involved in such an activity for sometime now. We appreciate that these workshops are being presented at Oak Hills School . Thank You!”
–Ron and Judy Chott

“I want to do this everyday!”
–(Overheard in the hallway after class, as a third grader walked alongside her father.)

We were delighted by Caroline’s experience in this acting camp. She loved the class. The teacher was both loving and enthusiastic, yet had seemingly great control of the group. They produced a delightful show, Thank you!”
–Michelle Dorman, Lake Oswego Elementary school

“After every workshop, the boys came home and played the games until bedtime. They loved it!”
–Sarah Taylor, CFT Elementary Parent

“As a direct result of the theater games, I have seen many changes in children. I have seen withdrawn and shy children begin to participate. I have seen aggressive and impulse-driven children learn to patiently wait for, listen to and value others. I have seen all children working more cooperatively, with refined awareness and concern for each other.”
–6^th Grade Teacher, Cook Elementary

“My child was in high spirits all week-he loved it!”
–Pam Oslund, Sacremento Elementary

“I loved my experience, not only do you get to learn about drama but you get to have fun while you learn, you get to play games to learn stage places. I also loved the game where you pretended to do something and someone would ask what are you doing and you would say something that was NOT what you were doing then that person would do what you said and the game goes on, now me and my mom play it. I can’t wait to do it again next year! ”
—Myranda, Keller Elementary School